Apparatus for indicating the location of a signal emitting tag

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for indicating the location of a signal emitting tag. The apparatus includes signal detectors, control logic, and at least one light producing device. The control logic activates the light producing device in response to receiving data from the signal detectors. After activation, the light producing device illuminates the location of an individual that is near the point of origin of a signal that was detected by the signal detectors.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of security, andmore particularly to using triangulation to locate and indicate, viaillumination, the location of signal emitting tags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During peak shopping seasons many vendors struggle to keep track ofstock. In an effort to improve stock control, many vendors have turnedto the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. There are fivegeneral types of RFID tags. They are inductively coupled, capacitivelycoupled, active, semi-active, and passive RFID tags. All five types ofRFID tags operate using similar steps. Data is stored within an RFIDtag's microchip and the tag is attached to an item to be tracked. Thetag's antenna receives electromagnetic energy from an RFID detector'santenna. Using power from an internal battery or power harvested fromthe detector's electromagnetic field, the RFID tag sends radio wavesback to the detector. The detector picks up the radio waves andinterprets the frequencies as meaningful data.

In general, RFID tags attached to items being purchased are deactivatedduring checkout. However, this does not always occur, e.g., when thereis a malfunction of the RFID tag de-activator or when an RFID tag is notde-activated by a cashier. When an active RFID tag enters into range ofan RFID detector, the detector indicates the presence of the active RFIDtag, often through the use of a siren or other alarm. This can lead togeneral confusion for customers as there may be numerous individualswithin range of the RFID detector and all of whom may have multiplepurchases.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for indicating the location of a signal emitting tag. Theapparatus comprises a plurality of signal detectors, a control logic,and at least one light producing device. The control logic activates theat least one light producing device in response to receiving data fromthe plurality of signal detectors. In response to being activated by thecontrol logic, the at least one light producing device illuminates alocation of an individual that is collocated with a point of origin of asignal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a component layout for adetection system, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a component layout for adetection system, in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a component layout for adetection system, in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operational steps of atriangulation program executing on a computing device of a detectionsystem, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of components of the computing device, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Known radio frequency identification (RFID) detection measures ofteninclude RFID detectors located near the exits of vendors. When an activeRFID tag enters into range of the RFID detector the detector triggers analarm, which is often audible and can include flashing lights. Suchdetectors do not indicate which customer has the active RFID tag in hisor her possession or the location of the item that includes the activeRFID tag. When several customers leave simultaneously, an activatedalarm can cause frustration and confusion for the customers as well asthe vendor.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe Figures. The following is a general discussion of the respectivecomponents included FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. It is to be noted that thecomponents included in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same. However, theplacement of radio frequency identification (RFID) signal detectors,herein denoted 115, 117, and 119, varies with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, and3. It is also to be noted that the description of illuminating device150 of FIG. 3 is not identical to the description of illuminating device150 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Illuminating device 150 of FIG. 3 does not includeindicator lights 153 and 155. Further, FIG. 3 includes indicating tiles166 and 168 in place of surface 105 (see the discussion of FIG. 3 forfurther details).

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate three different embodiments of the presentinvention. Similar components are herein denoted via same name, number,and description. While each embodiment shares the same type of andnumber of components, the placement of certain components varies.Typically, this variation includes changes in the location of radiofrequency identification (RFID) signal detectors, herein denoted 115,117, and 119. The placement of RFID signal detectors or other componentscan be varied to meet the needs and desires of a user, e.g., a storethat installs the detection system. While each of the embodimentsincludes three RFID signal detectors, it is to be understood that thisis for illustrative purposes only. There are many embodiments in whichmore or less than three RFID signal detectors are used. The RFID signaldetectors can be used to triangulate the source of a signal.Triangulating includes any use of two or more signal detectors to locatethe source of a signal in space, e.g., in two dimensions or threedimensions, etc. In general, the use of more RFID signal detectors canincrease signal reception and the accuracy of triangulating the sourceof a signal. For example, a radio frequency absorbing material issurrounding an RFID tag. The absorbing material absorbs enough of theRFID signal to make triangulation impossible using only three RFIDsignal detectors, since the received signals are too weak. However, byusing a fourth RFID signal detector more signal is detected and thetriangulation can be made.

Respective FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 include computing device 110, which includesand executes triangulation program 112.

In various embodiments, computing device 110 can be a laptop computer, anotebook computer, a desktop computer, or any other computing device. Inanother embodiment, computing device 110 represents a computing systemutilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool ofseamless resources. Computing device 110 may include internal andexternal hardware components, as depicted and described in furtherdetail with respect to FIG. 4.

In certain embodiments, triangulation program 112 can be stored on anycomputer-readable media that is accessible by computing device 110. Anycombination of computer-readable media may be utilized.Computer-readable media may be a computer-readable signal medium or acomputer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium maybe, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, ordevice, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In thecontext of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be anytangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium thatis not a computer-readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

In certain embodiments, triangulation program 112 can be storedexternally to computing device 110 and accessed through a network (notshown). The network can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), awide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of thetwo, and may include wired, wireless, fiber optic or any otherconnection known in the art. In general, the network can be anycombination of connections and protocols that will supportcommunications between computing device 110 and triangulation program112, or provide computing device 110 access to triangulation program112.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java®, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on a user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

In general, signal emitter 125 can be any type of active RFID tag orsimilar device that will send a signal to a signal detector, such asradio frequency identification (RFID) detector 115, 117, and 119. Ingeneral, surface 105 is an area where signal emitter 125 is located.RFID detector 115, 117, and 119 are positioned around or near surface105 such that a signal emitted by signal emitter 125 will be detected byRFID detector 115, 117, and 119.

In the embodiments described herein, to differentiate the differences instrength of a signal or a time that a signal is received by respectiveRFID detector 115, 117, and 119, three different RFID signals, denotedRFID signal 135, 137, and 139, are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 aslighting bolts (but are radio signals). RFID detector 115 detects RFIDsignal 135. RFID detector 117 detects RFID signal 137. RFID detector 119detects RFID signal 139. It is to be noted that such differentiation isfor illustrative purposes only. The three respective signals, RFIDsignal 135, 137, and 139, are in many embodiments a single signal thatis emitted by signal emitter 125. In other embodiments, three differentsignals (e.g., three signals with different respective frequencies) aredetected by the respective RFID detector 115, 117, and 119. In such acase, triangulation program 112 uses the data from RFID detector 115,117, and 119 to determine the location of signal emitter 125.

In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 respective RFID detector 115, 117, and 119 areconnected to computing device 110 using detector connection 111.Detector connection 111 is, in general, any connection that is capableof passing the data from RFID detector 115, 117, and 119 to computingdevice 110.

Triangulation program 112 processes data received from the signaldetectors that receive signals from signal emitting tags, such as RFIDtags. Triangulation program 112 can be any form of control logic thatcan perform the functions of triangulation program 112 described herein.For example, in some embodiments, the programming of triangulationprogram 112 is included in an integrated circuit. In another embodiment,the programming of triangulation program 112 is stored on a hard-drivethat is accessible by computing device 110.

Triangulation program 112 determines the location of the point of originof the signal, such as signal emitter 125, using triangulation. Thetriangulation can be based on the respective times at which the signalis received by various signal detectors (e.g., signal detectors 115,117, and 119, etc.). The triangulation can be based on the respectivestrength of the signal that is received by various signal detectors. Insome embodiments, both the time the signal is received and the strengthof the received signal are used to triangulate the point of origin ofthe signal, e.g. the location of an active RFID tag.

In some embodiments, computing device 110 is connected to imaging device140 via connection 141, which can transmit signals between computingdevice 110 and imaging device 140. Imaging device 140 in the embodimentsdescribed herein is a video camera. Imaging device 140 captures videoimages and send them to computing device 110 during video recordingsessions.

In some embodiments, triangulation program 112 includes programming tooverlay a display of the location of the point of origin of the signalonto the video captured during a video recording session. For example, avideo recording session in a store includes a customer that has anactivated RFID tag in their possession. As the customer attempts to exitthe store the activated tag sends a signal to the RFID tag detectors.Triangulation program 112 processes the data from signal detectors 115,117, and 119 and determines the point of origin of the signal. The pointof origin of the signal, i.e., the location of the RFID tag, is thenoverlaid onto the captured video to visually indicate the location ofthe active RFID tag.

In certain embodiments, triangulation program 112 includes programmingto trigger an alarm in response to receiving data from signal detectorsthat receive signals from signal emitting tags. Such alarms can includeaudio and visual aspects; e.g. sirens and flashing lights.

Computing device 110 is connected to illuminating device 150 usinglighting connection 161. Lighting connection 161 is, in general, anyconnection that is capable of passing signals, e.g., data to activateand direct lighting, from computing device 110 to illuminating device150 and indicator lights 153 and 155. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and2 described herein, illuminating device 150 includes a strip ofindicator lights 153. Indicator lights 153 are activated bytriangulation program 112 to indicate a general location of a point oforigin of a signal. When activated, one or more of indicator lights 153become respective indicator lights 155 that provide a general locationof a point of origin of a signal. In continuation with the aboveexample, triangulation program 112 processes the data from the signaldetectors and determines the point of origin of the signal.Triangulation program 112 then activates indicator lights 155 that aremost directly located above the point of origin of the signal (as seenin FIGS. 1 and 2 and as described in further detail below).

Illuminating device 150 can also include a group of movable spot lights,herein denoted tracking spotlights 151, which in one embodiment havepitch and yaw motors to reorient the direction they cast light. Onceactivated, a given tracking spotlights 151 is denoted as trackingspotlights 152. Tracking spotlights 151 are activated by triangulationprogram 112 to indicate a specific location of a point of origin of asignal. In continuation with the above example, triangulation program112 processes the data from the signal detectors and determines thepoint of origin of the signal. Triangulation program 112 then activatesthe one or more tracking spotlights 151 that are most directly locatedabove the point of origin of the signal, thereby creating one or moretracking spotlights 152. Tracking spotlights 152 respectively emit beamsof light, herein denoted light-beams 154, which herein are shown asilluminating signal emitter 125 and a section of surface 105. In certainembodiments, triangulation program 112 can activate one or more trackingspotlights 151, which are not located directly above the point of originof the signal. In such a case, triangulation program 112 orients therespective light-beams 154 to illuminate the point of origin of thesignal.

In certain embodiments, triangulation program 112 tracks and readjuststhe orientation of light-beams 154 to continuously illuminate the pointof origin of the signal. This can aid in the identification of the pointof origin of the signal when there are a number of individuals withinrange of RFID signal detectors 115, 117, and 119.

Triangulation program 112 sends signals to tracking spotlights 152 toorient light-beams 154 such that the light-beams 154 illuminates thespecific location of the point of origin of the signal. Light-beams 154can be seen to indicate a point of a pathway that passes over surface105. For example, a customer leaving a store has a purchased item intheir possession. However, the RFID tag was not deactivated duringcheckout due to a hardware malfunction. As the customer passes underilluminating device 150, triangulation program 112 determines thespecific location of the point of origin of the signal, e.g., signalemitter 125. Triangulation program 112 then sends a signal to the onetracking spotlights 151 that is most directly located above the RFIDtag, and activates that one tracking spotlights 151 creating one or moretracking spotlights 152, which begin emitting respective light-beams154. Triangulation program 112 sends signals to tracking spotlights 152to orient light-beams 154 such that the RFID tag is illuminated bylight-beams 154. The customer has a bag of purchases in each hand.However, light-beams 154 only illuminate the bag in the right hand ofthe customer, because that is where signal emitter 125 is located.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram, 100, illustrating a component layout for adetection system, 100, in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 1, RFID detector 115 and 119 are located onopposite sides of surface 105. Both RFID detector 115 and 119 areillustrated as being integral with respective guide 113 and 114. Theactivation of light-beams 154 is shown illuminating the point of originof a signal, i.e., signal emitter 125, which is located between RFIDdetector 115 and 119. Guide 113 and 114 are, in one embodiment,structures to limit the possible pathways of an individual carryingsignal emitter 125. For example, guides 113 and 114 are placed at theouter edges of a doorway of a store. The placement of guide 113 and 114encourages customers to cross surface 105 thereby allowing RFID detector115, 117, and 119 an opportunity to detect a signal from signal emitter125.

In some embodiments, guide 113, 114 include inductive coils that providea source of power for signal emitter 125. In FIG. 1, RFID detector 117is shown as integral with illuminating device 150. The configuration ofRFID detector 115, 117, and 119 in FIG. 1 can increase the difficulty ofblocking the signal emitted by signal emitter 125 since the signal wouldhave to be blocked on multiple sides. While blocking on one or moresides can inhibit the triangulation of signal emitter 125, bytriangulation program 112, the chances of a general detection are stillhigh.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram, 200, illustrating a component layout for adetection system, 200, in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 2, RFID detector 115, 117, and 119 areintegral with illuminating device 150. Such a configuration can providea simplified installation of the detection system. In certainembodiments, multiple illuminating device 150 with integral RFIDdetector 115, 117, and 119 can be employed to monitor an extendedsurface 105. For example, a store has two such illuminating device 150.The first illuminating device 150 is located on the inside of a givendoorway and the second is located on the outside of that doorway. Inanother example, such illuminating devices 150 are placed at the variouspathway intersections of a shopping mall, thereby forming arches underwhich potential customers must pass. Such a configuration can providemultiple venues with additional security.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram, 300, illustrating a component layout for adetection system, 300, in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 3, RFID detector 115, 117, and 119 areintegral with illuminating device 150. However, unlike the previousembodiments, surface 105 has been replaced with a grid of light emittingtiles designated indicating tiles 166 and 168. Indicating tiles 166 and168 are connected to computing device 110 using grid connection 162.Grid connection 162 is, in general, any connection that is capable ofpassing signals, e.g., data to activate the light emitting tiles, fromcomputing device 110 to indicating tiles 166 and 168.

As with indicator lights 153 of illuminating device 150 of FIGS. 1 and2, the light emitting tiles are activated by triangulation program 112to indicate a general location of a point of origin of a signal. Whenactivated, a given light emitting tile illuminates to provide a generallocation of a point of origin of a signal. An activated indicating tiles166 is herein denoted as indicating tiles 168. The use of a grid oflight emitting tiles allows the location of a point of origin of asignal to be visually confirmed in at least two dimensions. Thus, thelight emitting tiles can make it easier for customers to identify ifthey are in possession of an active signal emitting tag, e.g., signalemitter 125. For example, several customers are leaving a shoppingcenter at the same time and an alarm is triggered when RFID detector115, 117, and 119 detect a signal from signal emitter 125. The tileunder the customer in possession of signal emitter 125 lights up, i.e.,tile 168 is illuminated. As a result the customer is able to more easilyidentify that their purchase includes signal emitter 125.

As seen in the above described embodiments, there are many possibleconfigurations of the components, included in a given detection system,which are within the scope and spirit of the invention. As seen in therespective component configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2, signal detectors115,117, and 119 can be placed in a number of locations. As seen in FIG.3, the location of light emitting components that indicate the locationof a signal source, such as signal emitter 125, can vary.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart, 400, illustrating the operational steps oftriangulation program 112 executing on a computing device 110 of adetection system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

In step 405, triangulation program 112 receives data from signaldetectors, such as signal detectors 115,117, and 119. Data is sent by asignal detector when it detects a signal from a signal emitting tag,such as signal emitter 125. As long as a given signal detector isdetecting the signal, that signal detector continues to send data totriangulation program 112. The combined data from the signal detectorsincludes the information needed to calculate the point of origin of thesignal, i.e. the location of the signal emitting tag. For example, thesignal transmitted by signal emitter 125, is received by respectivesignal detectors 115,117, and 119. The data that signal detectors115,117, and 119 send to triangulation program 112 includes therespective strength of the signal and respective time of signaldetection as detected by signal detectors 115,117, and 119.

In step 410, triangulation program 112 determines the signal's point oforigin using the data sent by the respective signal detectors. Forexample, in continuation with the above example, triangulation program112 uses the respective differences in strength of the signal andrespective time of signal detection as detected by signal detectors115,117, and 119 to determine the location of signal emitter 125, i.e.,triangulation program 112 triangulates the location of signal emitter125.

In step 415, triangulation program 112 sends signals to a number oflights that then illuminate the point of origin of a signal. Forexample, triangulation program 112 sends signals to and thereby turns onan indicating tiles 168 located beneath signal emitter 125 and aindicator lights 155 located above signal emitter 125. Triangulationprogram 112 also sends signals to two tracking spotlights 152. The twotracking spotlights 152 orient their respective light-beams 154 suchthat the light-beams 154 illuminate the location of signal emitter 125.

In decision step 420, triangulation program 112 determines if the flowof data has stopped, i.e., if the signal detectors have stopped sendingdata to triangulation program 112. If the triangulation program 112determines that the flow of data has stopped (decision step 420, yesbranch), then triangulation program 112 ceases illumination of the pointof origin, in step 430. For example, signal emitter 125 moves out ofdetection range of signal detectors 115,117, and 119. As a result,signal detectors 115,117, and 119 cease sending data to triangulationprogram 112. Triangulation program 112 detects that there is no longerdata being sent and turns off the lights that were illuminating thepoint of origin of the signal. If triangulation program 112 determinesthat the flow of data has not stopped (decision step 420, no branch),then triangulation program 112 determines if the point of origin of thesignal has changed, in decision step 425.

In decision step 425, triangulation program 112 determines if the pointof origin of the signal has changed, based on the data being sent by thesignal detectors. For example, the data from signal detectors 115,117,and 119 include changes in the respective differences in strength of thesignal and respective time of signal detection. As a result of thedetected changes in the data, triangulation program 112 determines thatthe point of origin of the signal has changed. If triangulation program112 determines that the point of origin of the signal has changed(decision step 425, yes branch), then triangulation program 112calculates the signal's point of origin in step 410. If triangulationprogram 112 determines that the point of origin of the signal has notchanged (decision step 425, no branch), then triangulation program 112illuminates the point of origin in step 415.

In certain embodiments, triangulation program 112 is able todifferentiate, triangulate, and track two or more signal emitting tagssimultaneously. Each respective tag is illuminated accordingly, bytriangulation program 112.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram, 500, of components of computing device110, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated that FIG. 5 provides only anillustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitationswith regard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Computing device 110 includes communications fabric 502, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 504, memory 506, persistentstorage 508, communications unit 510, and input/output (110)interface(s) 512. Communications fabric 502 can be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any otherhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric502 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 506 and persistent storage 508 are computer-readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 506 includes random access memory(RAM) 514 and cache memory 516. In general, memory 506 can include anysuitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.

In certain embodiments, triangulation program 112 is stored inpersistent storage 508 for execution and/or access by one or more of therespective computer processors 504 via one or more memories of memory506. In this embodiment, persistent storage 508 includes a magnetic harddisk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive,persistent storage 508 can include a solid state hard drive, asemiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any othercomputer-readable storage media that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 508 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 508.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage508.

Communications unit 510, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices that are in communicationwith computing device 110. In these examples, communications unit 510includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit 510may provide communications through the use of either or both physicaland wireless communications links. Triangulation program 112 may bedownloaded to persistent storage 508 through communications unit 510.

I/O interface(s) 512 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to computing device 110. For example, I/Ointerface 512 may provide a connection to external devices 518 such as akeyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable inputdevice. External devices 518 can also include portable computer-readablestorage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical ormagnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practiceembodiments of the present invention, e.g., the triangulation program112, can be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media andcan be loaded onto persistent storage 508 via I/O interface(s) 512. I/Ointerface(s) 512 also connect to a display 520.

Display 520 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor, or a television screen.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

Having described the preferred embodiment of creating a detection systemusing the aforementioned devices and structures (which are intended tobe illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications andvariations may be made by persons skilled in the art in light of theabove teachings.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description. Areference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Allstructural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousembodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by theinvention. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made inthe particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope of thepresent invention as outlined by the appended claims.

Each respective figure, in addition to illustrating the structure of thepresent invention at various stages, also illustrates the respectivesteps of the respective methods for the fabrication/manufacture and useof such a detection system using the aforementioned devices andstructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for indicating the location of asignal emitting tag, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of signaldetectors; a control logic to activate at least one light producingdevice in response to receiving data from the plurality of signaldetectors; and the at least one light producing device that, in responseto being activated by the control logic, illuminates a location of anindividual that is collocated with a point of origin of a signal.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal detectors detectthe signal, and send data to the control logic in response to thedetection of the signal, and wherein the control logic is configured totriangulate a location of the point of origin of the signal based on thedata.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data received by thecontrol logic includes a respective strength of the signal as detectedby a signal detector included in the plurality of signal detectors. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data received by the control logicincludes a respective time that the signal is detected by a signaldetector included in the plurality of signal detectors.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal detectors includes: a firstsignal detector that sends a first data to the control logic in responseto detecting the signal; a second signal detector that sends a seconddata to the control logic in response to detecting the signal; and athird signal detector that sends a third data to the control logic inresponse to detecting the signal.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe control logic is configured to triangulate the location of the pointof origin of the signal based on the first data, the second data, andthe third data.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the triangulationof the location of the point of origin of the signal is based, at leastin part, on a respective strength of the signal that was received by thefirst signal detector, the second signal detector, and the third signaldetector.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the triangulation of thelocation of the point of origin of the signal is based, at least inpart, on a respective time that the signal was received by the firstsignal detector, the second signal detector, and the third signaldetector.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first signal detectoris located above a floor such that the distance between the first signaldetector and the floor allows for the passage of the individual.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein a distance between the second signaldetector and the third signal detector allows for the passage of theindividual between the second signal detector and the third signaldetector.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one lightproducing device, when activated, indicates the location of the point oforigin of the signal between the second signal detector and the thirdsignal detector.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal isgenerated by a radio frequency identification tag.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one light producing device illuminates thelocation of the point of origin of the signal.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one light producing device, whenactivated, indicates the location of the point of origin of the signalin at least two dimensions.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontrol logic responds to the reception of data from the plurality ofsignal detectors by triggering an alarm.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the control logic responds to the reception of data from theplurality of signal detectors by initiating a video recording session.17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the control logic responds to thereception of data from the plurality of signal detectors by overlaying adisplay of the location of the point of origin of the signal onto thevideo captured during the video recording session.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one light producing device illuminates anarea that includes the point of origin of the signal.
 19. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the at least one light producing device, whenactivated, indicates at least one point on a pathway taken by theindividual.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control logicresponds to a change in the location of the point of origin of thesignal by changing the indicated location of the individual such thatthe indicated location of the individual corresponds to the change inthe location of the point of origin of the signal.